Just not for me, how to resign

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Your plan to leave mid-year is better than leaving immediately. Let your supervisor and your team know that you have been given a position you just can't turn down and you are grateful for this opportunity. Bear in mind that if you're in a contract situation you're breaking the contract (nothing wrong with that- teachers do it all the time). However, you might put in a call to HR to see if leaving mid-contract year renders you unhireable. Because that's sometimes a question on future applications; you've been here long enough that this job will "count" on your resume. In the future, you'll just say you realized this wasn't what you were looking for and you were concerned as a relatively new RN that you wouldn't have a full practice base if you stayed in school nursing. Also - don't discount returning to school nursing after a few years. Every year is different.

Best of luck!

[SaltineQueen]

I'm also in a small school (279 kiddos K-3) with few medical needs, no complex kiddos...so I get that it can be tedious at times. You never know, though, when one of your kids may become complex. You could get a call today that someone is in the hospital newly diagnosed with diabetes.

At this new school I treat the same 20 kids with headaches and stomach aches every single day. I am so unhappy with my choice.

This is the time when things should get interesting for you... If it's the same kids all the time you need to be putting on your critical thinking cap. WHY are they coming in constantly? Is their something going on in their lives that you can help with? Is it a vision issue? Etc... Get involved with your students. You shouldn't be "just" the nurse. You should be another person they know they can come to with their stuff. We're nurses, counsellors, parents, educators...this role is so much more than bandaids & barf, but it will be what you make of it. These kids are "my kids" and I truly care about them. I'm lucky that my actual kid is in the building with me. My other kids are in the district at other schools. The first time I was scheduled to work Christmas (back in my hospital days) with little kids at home killed me.

It sounds like you've already made up your mind. I agree that there is no graceful way to go with

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

Also, if you are on a contract like the teachers are, in our district (and many others in our state) the school and chose NOT to let you go. That actually happened with a teacher our school wanted to hire, she was miserable at her school so interviewed and was offered the job. But the school she was at would not let her leave because she had signed a contract and it would've put them in a tough spot losing a teacher.

The schools won't treat your kids bad. They might give you the stink eye if they see you in the grocery store, but your kids are fine. Before reading about the financial struggle I would've told you to give it a year. It truly is worth it, but if it putting a strain on your family then you need to do what is best. Maybe offer to stay PRN, that might help.

[WineRN]

Well I am bored out of my mind. When I subbed in another district I had kids with catheters and peg tubes and diabetics. At this new school I treat the same 20 kids with headaches and stomach aches every single day. I am so unhappy with my choice.

Life is too short to be unhappy.

My only two hesitations with telling you to cut ties and run is:

1. I never think going back to a former employer is a good thing. You left for a reason (probably many reasons in order to be willing to take the pay cut). And they may treat you differently now since you have now been jumping from job to job.

2. You mentioned subbing in a school with more medically fragile kids, and I am assuming you enjoyed the environment there. By leaving this school so early you might be closing the door to get into a school setting later. If you look at the board a lot of us hop to different schools to find the right fit.

I hope you find your fit either here or somewhere else in nursing. Good Luck!

I would look at your contract and make sure you know exactly how much notice you need to give, and give at least that much notice. Don't burn bridges, be respectful and don't say anything about the job itself being not exciting enough, etc. Honestly you don't really need to give any reason. Some of the best resignation letters have been professional and to the point, without too much personal detail.

Dear Mr. soandso,

I am writing to let you know that effective January 1st, I will no longer be working at bla bla school. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked here and wish you the best of luck in the future. Please let me know how I can be helpful in the transition.

That's it.

[MrsNurse08]

Unless there is a compelling financial reason for you to change jobs my recommendation to you is to finish the school year and then examine what your priorities are. You haven't been there long enough to appreciate everything the job has to offer, especially when it come to being on the same schedule as your kids. You have them, at this age, only one time so you might want to think about the value of seeing them in the school hallways, waving to them at lunch, knowing they are safe and sound within your grasp every day; opportunities many parents don't get. All 5 of my children have gone through my school and I would not have traded those memories for anything - in fact I got choked up just typing this.

So, probably not the advice you were looking for but that's what I'm saying.

OD, you are so right! All 3 of my kids goes to the school I'm at and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Like OD said, finish the school year out and during the summer get you a part time job doing what you like. I have a part time job that I sometimes go to after school in which I'm kinda glad it's slow and boring at my school job, because my 2nd job gives me a whole lot of excitement! So I'm well rested for my second job. Hope things work out for you.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Hmm, ok. Clearly this is not the forum I should have posted in. I was hoping to get advice on how to resign graciously, not get blasted for realizing early on that this is not the specialty for me. Thanks for the replies though.

How to resign graciously - Have a sit-down with your supervisor if possible and tell them something like : While I appreciate the opportunity I have found that this position is not a good fit for me at this time and I have decided to pursue other interests I am giving you my two week notice. Be aware of any contract obligations you may have. I have worked for several organizations that require licensed professional staff to give 30 day notice to allow time to hire a train a replacement. I agree it would be best to finish out the school year and maybe take the other position part time or per diem. You might actually hate it more than what you are doing now.

Remember that each school year brings a whole new crop of kids - so next year you might just get that trached kid, or diabetic kid or the kid with asthma or epilepsy.

I totally get not wanting to be pigeon holed into a position. I faced that myself as a psych nurse - but I do per diem at an out patient surgery center where I keep up my assessment skills and start IV's and of a lot of patient teaching. They have offered me a full time job if I want it, but I love my primary job.

Hope this helps

Hppy

[lvnforschool]

I too got bored last year and tried to see what else was out there for me. OMG!

It was crappy pay, wayyy harder work, and just constant ********. I ran back to my school job with open arms.

It's not a job for everyone, but alot of times the grass isn't always greener.

Good luck!

[OldDude]

So, jbtota, which way are you leaning?

[RedBC]

You're just burnt out from seeing the same people and your access to direct patient care is limited due to a small population of patients that contribute to it. Be genuine to your boss about your problems and he/she will understand or open up a little bit. If it causes a conflict in your end by telling truths, then keep them to yourself. Give them a plenty of time to hire a new nurse and you should offer that you will be willing to help them out to orient him/her. Anyway, by law, they cannot punish your children when you will resign.

Good luck on your new journey. If I were you, I would do some part-time somewhere else so I don't feel life is boring.

[SafetyNurse1968, ADN, BSN, MSN, PhD]

There are some great resources for how to exit gracefully (since that is what I hear you asking for) - try: donnacardillo.com, write to nursebeth, and also check out empowerednurses.org - I have found all of these sites/resources to be really helpful with my employment struggles/issues. I know for sure that Lorie at empowered nurses would be happy to help you. She is a lovely person. You can send her a note on her website - she actually called me about my issue! As an oncology nurse who supported many people through the experience of dying I can tell you that none of them said they wished they had worked more. Life is too short to do anything but what brings you joy. I hope you find the words to exit with class and grace. Best to you!

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

OP have you talked to the nurse at the school with the more complex needs students? Maybe she is burnt out and needs a slower pace. Maybe she would be happy to "trade" schools. Just a thought.